Unfiltered-ish

Carina Gardner, Nicki Krawczyk, and Natali Edmonds

Unfiltered-ish is the midlife group chat you wish you were in. Each week, Carina Gardner, Nicki Krawczyk, and Natali Edmonds talk honestly about friendship, ambition, marriage, dating, money, aging, success, reinvention, and the strange little things that make you wonder, “Wait, is everyone else thinking this too?” They’re business friends turned real-life besties, bringing humor, honesty, and just enough chaos to the conversations women usually save for private texts.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 33: The One Where Our Dreams Are Definitely Trying to Tell Us Something

    Send us a text, question, or comment Why do stress dreams feel so real, and what do they reveal about what’s actually happening underneath the surface? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, Natali, Carina, and Nicki talk about overwhelm, ambition, anxiety, burnout, and the strange recurring dreams that seem to appear during stressful seasons of life. What starts as a conversation about facials, conferences, travel schedules, and feeling emotionally overloaded quickly turns into a deeper discussion about stress dreams, subconscious processing, and why our brains seem to work through problems while we sleep. They unpack:  Recurring anxiety dreams  Stress dreams and dream interpretation  Feeling overwhelmed by opportunity and responsibility  Burnout, ambition, and emotional exhaustion  Why successful women still feel like they’re drowning sometimes  Business pressure and decision fatigue  PTSD, nightmares, and anxious dreaming  The emotional toll of leadership and caregiving careers They also share some of their strangest recurring dreams, including:  Ice collapsing in Antarctica  Showing up late to a marathon  Forgetting you have a baby  Getting lost trying to find a hotel room  Driving a car that won’t stop  Tiny horses appearing in dreams for absolutely no reason Along the way, the conversation explores friendship, emotional support, nervous system overload, sleep, and why talking with the right people can sometimes calm your brain more than productivity ever will. If you’ve ever Googled “what does my dream mean?”, felt emotionally overwhelmed by your own success, or wondered why your subconscious seems louder during difficult seasons of life, this episode will feel deeply relatable. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about friendship, personal growth, burnout, ambition, anxiety, midlife, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    35 min
  2. Jun 10

    Episode 32: The One Where We Admit We Want More

    Send us a text, question, or comment What does your dream life look like now, and how much of it is really about the house, the pool, the people, and the feeling of peace? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, Natali, Carina, and Nicki start with a surprise birthday story after Carina secretly flies back to Phoenix to surprise Nicki at brunch. What begins as a funny, sweet recap of secret plans, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, birthday surprises, and full moon wishes turns into a deeper conversation about friendship, home, and what success feels like in midlife. They talk about surprise parties, thoughtful gifts, spontaneous friendship, pickleball, spring goals, and the tiny rituals that make life feel meaningful. Then the conversation shifts into dream homes, snowbird life, pools, luxury, and what it means to build a life that feels peaceful instead of performative. From Phoenix houses and Bear Lake dreams to indoor pools, pickleball courts, libraries, mountain views, and homes that feel like a sanctuary, they unpack why certain things symbolize safety, success, and freedom. If you’ve ever dreamed about owning a home with a pool, becoming a snowbird, creating a peaceful life in midlife, or redefining what “making it” actually means, this episode will feel funny, honest, and surprisingly reflective. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about midlife, friendship, personal growth, dream homes, relationships, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    48 min
  3. Jun 3

    Episode 31: The One Where We Think Cartier Will Kick Us Out

    Send us a text, question, or comment Why do certain fears get louder as we get older — even when we know they make no sense? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we talk about irrational fears and dream lives, Natali, Carina, and Nikki unpack the strange anxieties, insecurities, and overthinking spirals that show up in midlife. What starts as a conversation about parking garages and driving anxiety quickly turns into something deeper: fear of not belonging, fear of judgment, and the quiet ways women question their worth in spaces that feel exclusive or unfamiliar. They talk about: Irrational fears and anxiety in adulthoodWhy some fears get stronger with ageFear of heights, driving, and losing controlFeeling intimidated in luxury stores like Cartier, Chanel, Tiffany, and Louis VuittonImposter syndrome and self-worthWhy exclusivity culture can feel uncomfortableThe pressure to “deserve” beautiful thingsSocial media, curated lives, and comparisonThe conversation also explores: Wanting fewer but more meaningful possessionsBuilding a peaceful home and dream life in midlifeWhy trends and aesthetics can disconnect us from what we actually wantLearning to trust yourself instead of outside expectationsThen the episode takes an unexpectedly emotional turn into manifestation, visualization, and future dreams. Nicki shares a daily joy practice inspired by visualization and gratitude, imagining future trips, dream homes, meaningful work, successful businesses, supportive relationships, and a slower, more intentional life. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in certain spaces, struggled with overthinking or anxiety, or found yourself reimagining what you truly want in this stage of life, this episode will feel deeply relatable. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about midlife, friendship, personal growth, relationships, ambition, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    45 min
  4. May 20

    Episode 29: The One Where We Wonder if We Have Enough Friends

    Send us a text, question, or comment How many close friends do you actually have — and is that normal? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we talk about friendship circles, Natali, Carina, and Nicki unpack what adult friendships really look like in midlife — from inner circles to casual connections. They start by sharing how many people they each consider “close friends,” and quickly realize they define friendship very differently. From having 3 deeply intimate relationships to managing multiple “pods” of friends, the conversation explores what closeness actually means. They dive into:  How many close friends people can realistically maintain  Inner circle vs outer circle friendships  Deep friendships vs social or convenience friendships  Why friendships change in your 30s and 40s  The difference between family relationships and chosen friendships  How time, energy, and life stages impact connection They also discuss a popular social theory that suggests most people can only maintain about five truly close relationships at once — and what happens when someone new enters your life. The conversation gets deeper as they explore:  Honesty as the foundation of strong friendships  Outgrowing certain relationships  Why shared interests (like business or lifestyle) strengthen connection  How friendships evolve over time — and why some naturally fade If you’ve ever wondered how many close friends you’re “supposed” to have, questioned your inner circle, or felt your friendships shifting in midlife, this episode offers a thoughtful, honest, and relatable perspective. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about friendship, midlife, personal growth, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    21 min
  5. May 13

    Episode 28: The One Where We Take a Personality Quiz (And Call Out Each Other’s Flaws)

    Send us a text, question, or comment What actually drives your behavior — and what are your biggest blind spots? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we take a personality quiz, Natali, Carina, and Nikki dive into the Tony Robbins “6 Human Needs” framework and uncover what motivates them, what holds them back, and what they might not see about themselves. They walk through a personality and self-discovery quiz in real time, reacting to each question, guessing each other’s answers, and debating what actually fits. They explore:  The six human needs (certainty, variety, significance, love/connection, growth, contribution)  Personality traits and driving forces  Strengths vs Achilles heels  How different people define success, stability, and fulfillment  Emotional needs in relationships and friendships  Why self-awareness is harder than it seems The conversation gets especially honest when they start calling out each other’s blind spots — from people-pleasing and overgiving to ambition, ego, and the pressure to keep growing. They also question:  Are personality quizzes actually accurate?  Can a 10-question quiz really define you?  What happens when your results don’t match how you see yourself? If you’ve ever taken a personality test, questioned your patterns, or wondered what really drives your decisions in midlife, this episode offers a mix of humor, self-reflection, and real conversation. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about personal growth, self-awareness, relationships, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    39 min
  6. May 6

    Episode 27: The One Where We Treat Dating Like a Business

    Send us a text, question, or comment What if your dating life isn’t broken — it just needs a better strategy? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we treat dating like a business, Natali, Carina, and Nikki talk about dating apps, burnout, and how to approach modern dating in a completely different way. What starts as a conversation about creating a dating profile quickly turns into a deeper discussion about control, mindset, and why dating can feel so much harder than building a business. They explore:  Dating apps like Bumble and Hinge  Why online dating can feel frustrating and exhausting  Dating burnout and emotional fatigue  Treating dating like a funnel (top of funnel, messaging, and filtering)  How to create a dating profile that actually attracts the right people  Letting go of pressure to “find the one”  Dating for curiosity instead of outcome They also reflect on:  Why business feels easier than personal relationships  Control vs uncertainty in dating  How expectations impact your dating experience  Friendship, support, and navigating midlife together Along the way, they share stories from a week spent together — including photo shoots, AI experiments, hot air balloon rides, and the real conversations that happen when you slow down and talk about what actually matters. If you’ve ever felt stuck in dating, frustrated with dating apps, or unsure how to meet someone in a more intentional way, this episode offers a fresh, practical, and surprisingly empowering perspective. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about midlife, relationships, personal growth, friendship, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    27 min
  7. Apr 29

    Episode 26: The One Where We Build the Perfect Dating Application

    Send us a text, question, or comment Are dating apps actually helping — or just making dating harder? In this episode of Unfiltered-ish, the one where we rethink dating apps, Natali, Carina, and Nikki dive into modern dating, first date expectations, and what really matters in a relationship. What starts as a conversation about Bumble, Hinge, and online dating quickly turns into a deeper discussion about compatibility, red flags, and how women think about relationships in midlife. They explore:  The reality of dating apps (Bumble, Hinge, Match, eHarmony)  Why online dating can feel exhausting  A creative alternative: building your own dating “application”  The kinds of questions that actually reveal compatibility  First date ideas and what makes a good first impression  Relationship expectations, communication, and shared values  Red flags, green flags, and subtle deal breakers  Food habits, generosity, and the small moments that matter They also play with relationship scenarios and games like:  “Could you love someone if…” (deal breaker conversations)  Conversation starters and real-life “pickup lines”  How to initiate meaningful conversations without apps Along the way, the conversation gets funny, honest, and unexpectedly insightful about what women actually want in a partner — and why that’s not always easy to articulate. If you’ve ever felt frustrated with dating apps, questioned your relationship standards, or wondered how to meet someone in a more authentic way, this episode offers a fresh, unfiltered perspective. Unfiltered-ish is a women’s podcast about relationships, midlife, dating, personal growth, and the conversations we don’t always say out loud.

    29 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Unfiltered-ish is the midlife group chat you wish you were in. Each week, Carina Gardner, Nicki Krawczyk, and Natali Edmonds talk honestly about friendship, ambition, marriage, dating, money, aging, success, reinvention, and the strange little things that make you wonder, “Wait, is everyone else thinking this too?” They’re business friends turned real-life besties, bringing humor, honesty, and just enough chaos to the conversations women usually save for private texts.

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